Chapter 32

Announcements

"Dinner with Daddy isn't going to be quite what I had planned," Regina said to Mrs. Wilson. "When I invited Daddy over, I didn't know Danny was going to ask me to marry him."

"Well don't you worry none, Child," Mrs. Wilson said. "It'll all work out just fine."

"I don't know, I'm not sure how Daddy is going to take to the idea of mine and Danny's wedding plans."

"Danny Johnson is a good man, Regina. Your Daddy is going to take to him just fine."

"I sure hope so. At least I've got your cooking to help butter him up a bit."

"Child, you are so sweet. You really think my cooking is that good?"

"Oh yes Ma'am. They're going to love every bite."

Just then, the telephone rang. Regina walked across the kitchen to answer it. "Hello, Johnson residence."

"Hello," Danny said. "Are we still on for dinner with your daddy tonight?"

"Yes we are. Are you on your way home?"

"Be there in about fifteen minutes."

"Good. Daddy is never late, and he hates it when other people are."

"Are you nervous?" Danny asked.

"Yes. Are you?"

"Scared to death."

"Really," Regina asked, "why are you so nervous?"

"Well," Danny replied, "the last time I met another member of your family, he beat me almost to death with a pool cue."

"I don't think Daddy is going to beat you with a pool cue," Regina laughed.

*****

The doorbell rang at exactly six PM. "That's Daddy," Regina said, "on time just like always."

"I'll get the door," Danny said.

"No," Regina said as she rushed to beat Danny to the door, "you wait in the living room with Mrs. Wilson, and have her fix your tie."

"Yes Ma'am," Danny said. "I can't believe you've got me wearing a tie in my own house."

"You look good," Regina said as she grasped the door knob.

"Hello Regina," Mr. Ripley said. "How's my lovely daughter today?"

"I'm fine, and you?"

"I'm well," Mr. Ripley said. "You know dear, you look as lovely as your mother did the night I first met her father."

"Was Momma this nervous?" Regina said as she led her father to the living room. "Daddy, I'd like you to meet Danny Johnson, and Mrs. Wilson. Guys, this is my father, Joseph Ripley."

"Call me JM," Mr. Ripley said as he shook Danny's hand. "So you're the famous Danny Johnson that's been a burr under Junior's saddle for so long, now?"

"Now Daddy," Regina said, "I promised Danny you would be nice to him."

"I'm being nice, Regina. I know Junior is the cause of his own problems. He just needs to learn that everybody looses once in a while, even us Ripleys."

"I'm glad you see it that way, Sir," Danny said.

"No problem Mr. Johnson," Mr. Ripley said. "So Regina, what's the big event you're planning tonight?"

"Big event?" Regina asked. "Did I say there was some sort of big event?"

"I don't know," JM. said. "As hard as you worked to sell me on the idea of coming over here tonight, you'd think you two were about to announce your wedding plans or something."

Regina just stood there looking shocked, then finally said, "Well Daddy, being that you mentioned it."